Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D3100 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5D Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3100 were released 2010 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II was released 2008. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3100 2010
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D3100 has a 14,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D Mark II has 21,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D3100 14,2 MP
14155776 pixels
4608 x 3072
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21,1 MP
21026304 pixels
5616 x 3744

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a 49 % larger resolution than Nikon D3100. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3100. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 25600 while Nikon D3100 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3100 100-12800
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3100 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3100
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot up to 3,9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3100 3
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 3,9

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II weighs 850 gr (equal to 1.87 lb) which is 68% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3100 505 gr
1.11 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 850 gr
1.87 lb

Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Name Nikon D3100 Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Release Year 2010 2008
Release Date 2010-08-19 2008-09-17
MSRP 699 USD 2699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4608 x 3072 pixels 5616 x 3744 pixels
Megapixels 14,2 MP 21,1 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 2 DIGIC 4
Image
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Range 100 - 12800 50 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD monitor TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 98%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Frames per second 3 fps 3,9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional
Remote Control Optional
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 850 shots
Width 124 mm 152 mm
Height 96 mm 114 mm
Depth 75 mm 75 mm
Weight 505 gram 850 gram